Theos-Talk Archives (February 2001 Message tt00140)

Jerome asked if I would forward this for him. 
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Here is Jerome's reply.

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Dear Martin-- 

Thanks for the reply.  The Pope may or may not be a great human.  I don't know.  I apologize for intruding upon your thinking platform, and will limit my reply to short "unpreachy," "no-quotes," "no-book-referral" comments.

 

You mentioned that the habit of "preaching the negative consequences" had the effect of saying something like "you sinners do not have the spiritual height nor the depth to do anything...."

 

On re-reading my communication to you, I must plead "guilty," it does sound preachy!!

 

You further pointed out that "they[i.e., theosophists] recommend endless book reading, and spirituality is refer and exalted if the person is able to quote various paragraphs from the same 'few' books.  The better quote the higher in the Path of the heart.  Oh wow ... I think the more we quote the more mental/psychic we are."

 

I went back to look at the communication I offered and did not find it filled with quotation; nor were there any book recommendation but The Voice of the Silence.  Since you did use the "plural" maybe the statement was not meant to include "Jerome"?

 

And then later you say:  "I have seen beautiful people . . .well I don't think you can relate dear friend [i.e., Jerome].  Probably you don't even meditate, correct me if I am wrong.

 

Since you asked to be corrected, then I will say, "Yes, you are wrong." 

 

After mentioning that you had definitely "stopped smelling the flowers," it is pointed out that tying quotes together and reading books is only a very, very small part of the journey.  I agree.

 

And then we get to the "punch line":  "The greatest part of the journey is the direct apprehension of the 'nothingness' which can be done through . . . And in this there many approaches, my favorite Vipassana . . . and that is all.  I speak from the heart and experience guided of course from those great Teaching HPB and others brought to us."

 

Well, yes, have a nice day, and if you do not wish to smell the flowers, I suspect they will stagger on somehow despite the lack of interaction from a higher kingdom,

jerome